Tony had finally gone to bed and tried to sleep, but it was impossible, he could still hear Pepper crying in her room. He didn't know what was wrong, but he couldn't stand her crying... This wasn't the Pepper he knew... Tony looked at the clock on his nightstand – 3:24am. Pepper needed to sleep, they'd have a meeting tomorrow. Tony stood up and sneaked into her room, standing in the door frame and watched her. He body shivered and made his heart ache, he couldn't watch her being that weak and sad, so he made his way to the bed and sat down next to her.
''Pepper..? Why don't you tell me what happened?''
She sat up, tried to dry the tears, but it didn't work out very well.
''Tony... I... would you just leave me alone?''
But Tony shook his head and sighed. ''Pepper, I know something is up, you're different. Where's the strong and capable woman I know? Where's my best friend?... I miss her, you know?''
Pepper whined. If he'd just know how much he hurt her in this situation, how much worse her pain got when he was that nice to her. She looked up in his teddybear eyes and held back another sob. If he'd still be her fiancé, if he'd remember he would've been the cutest man ever, cuddle her, kiss her and try everything to make her better... But now, he caused her depression and he couldn't do anything about it... Tony sighed again and took Pepper's hand, pulled her up.
''Come on''
he mumbled and pulled her outside on the balcony. Under normal circumstances, Pepper would think this was pretty romantic, but now she just didn't know what to do.
''Tony... what?''
''Shh... everything will be okay... just... talk to me, Pepper. I will listen, I promise.''
Pepper sat down on one of the chairs outside and sighed.
''Tony... I... I can't tell you... this is complicated... You wouldn't understand''
Tony kneeled down in front of her and looked up in her eyes.
''Pepper, I'm a genius... You sure you don't want to try to explain it?''
Pepper nodded and turned her head away.
''Well, okay... I just don't want you to be sad'', he said and they got back inside.
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When Tony woke up the next day he heard someone singing and playing piano. He got up, sneaked into the living area and was stunned when he saw Pepper playing. He didn't even know that she could sing or play the piano. Even though he had a piano in his home in Malibu, but she hadn't ever played on it. Her voice was wonderful and Tony leaned his head against the door, listening to the last refrain.
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me No, I won't ask you, to just desert me I cant give you what you think you gave me It's time to say goodbye to turning tables To turning tables
When she finished, Tony couldn't hold back and said:
''That was wonderful, Pepper...''
Pepper was startled and jumped up, closing the piano and turned around, blushing helplessly.
''Tony... I'm sorry, did I wake you?''
Tony smiled and made his way to her.
''Yeah, you did, but who wouldn't want to wake up with the voice of an angel?''
Pepper looked on the floor and stepped back, softly shaking her head.
''Stop it, Tony... just... just stop it''
And again he had no clue why she acted that weird, why she was that cold when he tried to go near her. She obviously didn't want him to be more than her boss and he knew he should respect that, even though it broke his heart...
''Sorry...'', he mumbled and Pepper got back to her room.
Tony's POV
I didn't know where she was, I had called her for what felt like 3 Million times, but she hadn't answered a single one of them. I was worried, she acted so weird since... yeah, since when? If I recalled it correctly it was since I came back without Memory... What had happened? What had I done? I dialed her number again and again listened to the voice on her mailbox.
This is Virginia Potts' phone, please leave a message.
I sighed and tried not to freak out, told my mind that she was a grown woman and could take care of herself. But I couldn't stop thinking about this morning... why had she been so weird? It had been so wonderful to hear her singing even though it hadn't be a very happy song. This was definitely not the Pepper I knew... But I couldn't do something, she obviously didn't want me to, so I went downstairs and looked for the bar in our hotel. I came through the door and nearly fell of my feet when I saw the barkeeper kissing MY Pepper...
Pepper's POV – 2 hours earlier
I didn't want to face Tony again... I had thought I could stand this, but he just hurt me all the time with his flirting banter and he didn't even know it... I know it wasn't his fault and I know I shouldn't blame him, but I loved him and I couldn't live on like this... I needed a distraction and I went downstairs, looking for the bar. I don't know how long I sat there or how much I had drunk already, but I wasn't sober at all... The man behind the bar smiled at me ... If I were honest, he had smiled at me all the time since I were here. ''Another martini, please...'', I mumbled and the barkeeper smiled wider. ''Sure, Miss... But... do you want to talk?'' I shook my head, talking was the last thing I needed now. A single tear ran down my cheek and suddenly I felt someone pulling me close into his arms. The barkeeper had stood up and had pulled me in his strong muscular arms, it was good that the bar was nearly empty, otherwise there would have been a few guests looking and he maybe would loose his job... But I recognized that I didn't care, I hadn't ever cared less. I finally felt warm and safe again, being in someone's arms, someone who seemed to understand, I just wanted to get lost again, want to let the mask fall... Every time I was with Tony I had to hold my feelings back and it was hard... and hurt. I didn't even recognized when he kissed me, but I kissed back, melting in the feeling of his hands starting to explore my body when I suddenly heard a loud noise.
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Tony nearly ran to the man and punched him in the face. Pepper screamed and let her drink fall down, soaking her clothes, Tony pushed her back out of the danger and punched the guy again.
''LET YOUR FINGERS OFF HER!'', he screamed and pulled Pepper with him out of the bar.
''Tony..?'', she mumbled and fell, but Tony cached her, lifted her in his arms and brought her upstairs. He laid her down in her bed and started to remove her wet clothes; he smiled at her attitude to wear matching underwear and he couldn't help himself and caressed her flat tummy, relishing in the feeling of her soft skin. He wanted to hold her, wanted to be with her... But it didn't ... wouldn't work. She would have responded to his flirting if she wanted him to be more than her boss... It was when he noticed the necklace with a ring around her neck. He softly opened it and wrapped the blanket around Pepper and went into the living area to get a closer look at the ring. It was simple and smooth and there was a circle of diamonds around a bigger diamond. It was beautiful, but Tony had a bad feeling. Pepper was engaged? That was the reason why she had been so cold and weird when he had tried to go near her. He looked at the inscription and sighed heavily.
I love you to infinity
This broke him. Pepper was taken, what the hell had happened and why was she engaged? And why had she kissed the barkeeper when she had a fiancé? What the hell was this all about?